Recruitment Of a Technical Assistant to Support Youth-Led NGOs Working On Climate- Resilient Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods in The Volcanoes Region tender at African Wildlife Foundation

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) seeks to recruit a qualified Technical Assistant (TA) to support/mentor Youth-Led NGOs for a 24-month EU-funded conservation project in the Volcanoes Region, Rwanda.

POSITION SUMMARY

Support capacity building to five (5) youth-led organizations in environmental conservation, grant proposal development, and project implementation. Provide technical support and mentorship to the ongoing climate-resilient conservation initiatives.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Project Management, Environmental Studies, Development Studies, or other related fields.
• Experiences:

• Minimum 7 years in project management or monitoring and evaluation of Environment and Climate Change related donor funded projects.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Community Driven Development (CDD) projects.
• Minimum 5 years proven experience in planning, monitoring, and reporting of donor funded projects.
• Proven experience in project design and development.
• Proven skills in capacity building.

• Language: Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda
• Skills: Grant writing, financial management, conservation knowledge, training/facilitation

SCOPE OF WORK

• Conduct organizational capacity assessments
• Design and deliver targeted training programs
• Guide grant proposal development
• Provide ongoing technical mentorship
• Strengthen organizational systems and governance
• Support project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20/August/2025

Other details are in the attached Terms of reference

Patrick Nsabimana

Country Coordinator /RWANDA

African Wildlife Foundation

Terms of Reference

Technical Assistant to Support Youth-Led NGOs Working on Climate-Resilient Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods in Volcanoes Region of Rwanda

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), in partnership with Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA), is implementing a comprehensive youth empowerment project in the Volcanoes Region of Rwanda. This EU-funded initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of youth-led organizations to lead climate and conservation actions while promoting sustainable livelihoods in the 12 sectors bordering Volcanoes National Park.

The project targets five key youth organizations: The Green Protector (TGP), Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), Rwanda Youth in Action Organization (RYAO), The Rwanda Youth Organization for Development (RYOD), and Rwanda Youth Biodiversity Network (RYBN). These organizations will receive comprehensive capacity building support, followed by financial assistance through the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism to implement their own conservation and sustainable development projects.

As part of the capacity building component, the project requires an experienced mentor to provide ongoing technical assistance and guidance to these youth organizations throughout the project cycle, from initial capacity assessment through project implementation and evaluation.

2. POSITION OVERVIEW

Position Title: Technical Assistant for Supporting Youth-Led NGOs Working on Climate Resilient Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods
Duration: 24 months

Location: Volcanoes Region, Rwanda (Musanze, Nyabihu, and Burera Districts)
Reporting to: Program Manager, Volcanoes

Working with: SACOLA Co-applicant team, youth organizations, local government authorities
Employment Type: Consultancy (Individual Contractor)

3. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The TA/Mentor to support the Youth-Led NGOs will provide comprehensive mentorship and technical assistance to five selected youth organizations to enhance their capacity for effective project design, implementation, and management in the fields of environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Primary Objectives:

1. Guide youth organizations through systematic capacity building processes
2. Support the development of high-quality grant proposals for FSTP funding
3. Provide ongoing mentorship during project implementation phases (planning, monitoring, learning, and reporting)
4. Strengthen organizational systems and governance structures
5. Build technical expertise in conservation and sustainable development
6. Foster networking and collaboration among youth organizations

4. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Capacity Assessment and Planning

• Conduct detailed capacity need assessments of the five youth organizations using provided assessment tools
• Analyze organizational strengths, gaps, and development needs
• Develop individualized capacity building plans for each organization
• Design and deliver targeted training programs based on assessment findings
• Establish baseline measurements for organizational capacity indicators

4.2 Grant Proposal Development Support

• Provide technical assistance in developing logical frameworks and theory of change
• Guide organizations through problem analysis and needs assessment processes
• Support budget development and financial planning for proposed projects
• Review and provide feedback on draft grant proposals
• Ensure proposals align with project objectives and EU funding requirements
• Facilitate proposal review processes and support revisions

4.3 Technical Mentorship

• Provide ongoing guidance on project planning, implementation, and management
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation systems
• Assist in stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies
• Guide strategic communication and advocacy planning
• Provide technical advice on conservation and sustainable development approaches
• Support risk management and mitigation planning

4.4 Financial Management Support

• Strengthen financial management systems and procedures
• Provide training on budget monitoring and financial reporting
• Support procurement planning and implementation
• Guide development of internal financial controls
• Assist with donor reporting requirements and compliance
• Build capacity for financial accountability and transparency

4.5 Organizational Development

• Support strengthening of governance structures and leadership systems
• Facilitate strategic planning processes
• Guide development of organizational policies and procedures
• Support member engagement and retention strategies
• Assist in succession planning and leadership development
• Promote gender equality and social inclusion practices

4.6 Networking and Collaboration

• Facilitate networking events and knowledge exchange sessions
• Support development of partnerships and collaborative relationships
• Connect organizations with relevant stakeholders and resources
• Promote peer-to-peer learning and mutual support
• Organize study tours and experience sharing visits
• Support participation in relevant forums and platforms

4.7 Monitoring and Documentation

• Track progress against capacity building indicators
• Document lessons learned and best practices
• Prepare regular progress reports on mentorship activities
• Support organizations in developing their own documentation systems
• Contribute to project evaluation and learning processes
• Maintain detailed records of all mentorship interactions

5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

5.1 Educational Requirements

• Minimum: Master's degree 's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Project Management, or other related field

5.2 Professional Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in project management and implementation
• Minimum 5 years of experience working with civil society organizations,
• Minimum 3 years of experience in capacity building and organizational development
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing and proposal development
• Experience in financial management and donor compliance
• Previous work in environmental conservation, biodiversity, or sustainable development
• Experience working in Rwanda or East Africa region

5.3 Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of environmental conservation principles and practices
• Understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies
• Familiarity with sustainable agriculture and nature-based solutions
• Knowledge of community-based conservation approaches
• Experience with participatory development methodologies
• Understanding of gender equality and social inclusion principles
• Knowledge of EU funding mechanisms and requirements

6. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING

6.1 Reporting Structure

• Direct Supervisor: Program Manager, AWF
• Secondary Reporting: SACOLA Project Coordinator
• Matrix Reporting: Technical specialists as needed

6.2 Reporting Requirements

• Weekly: Brief activity summaries via email
• Monthly: Detailed progress reports (5-10 pages)
• Quarterly: Comprehensive assessment reports (15-20 pages)
• Annual: Impact evaluation reports (25-30 pages)
• Ad-hoc: Trip reports and special assignment reports

6.3 Coordination Requirements

• Participate in weekly project team meetings (virtual/in-person)
• Attend steering committee meetings
• Coordinate closely with SACOLA field team
• Maintain regular communication with youth organization leaders
• Participate in quarterly donor reporting processes

7. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

7.1 Consultancy Fee

• Daily rate
• Payment schedule: Monthly based on agreed deliverables and satisfactory performance

7.2 Expenses and Allowances

• Travel expenses (transport, accommodation, meals) as per AWF policy.

8. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

8. 1 Required Documents

1. Detailed CV (maximum 4 pages) highlighting relevant experience
2. Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating understanding of the role
3. Technical proposal (maximum 5 pages) outlining approach to mentorship
4. Financial proposal indicating daily rate
5. Three professional references with contact information
6. Copies of relevant certificates and qualifications
7. Portfolio of previous work.

8.2 Technical Proposal Requirements

The technical proposal should address:

• Understanding of youth organization capacity building needs
• Proposed mentorship methodology and approach
• Strategies for engaging diverse youth organizations
• Approach to building technical conservation capacity
• Methods for promoting sustainability and ownership
• Risk mitigation strategies
• Innovation and creativity in mentorship approaches

8.3 Evaluation Criteria

Minimum technical score: 70% to be considered for financial evaluation

9. APPLICATION PROCESS

9.1 Submission Details

• Application Deadline: 20^th August 2025
• Submission Method: Email to rwprocurement@awf.org
• Subject Line: "Application – TA for Youth-Led NGOs - [Your Name]"
• File Format: PDF documents only
• Maximum Total Size: 10MB

10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

10.1 Contract Terms

• Individual consultancy contract governed by Rwandan law
• Performance-based contract with clear deliverables and timelines
• 30-day notice period for termination by either party

10.2 Confidentiality and Ethics

• Strict confidentiality regarding organizational information
• Adherence to AWF code of conduct and ethical standards
• No conflict of interest with project beneficiaries
• Commitment to safeguarding principles, particularly regarding youth

10.3 Intellectual Property

• All training materials and tools developed remain AWF property
• Right to use and adapt existing materials for project purposes
• Attribution requirements for published materials and reports
• Sharing of best practices and innovations with the broader community

Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered. AWF reserves the right to cancel this recruitment process at any stage without prior notice.

Application Deadline: 20^th August 2025 @ 5pm

AWF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from qualified women, youth, and candidates from underrepresented communities.